Customer Reviews

Manse: (One Man's War) : A Biography Based on the Life and Legend of Manson Sherrill Jolly

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In MANSE, author Wilton Earle has brilliantly reconstructed Reconstruction. He has unwound the spool of American history and replayed it as a remorseless, enthralling web of warped heroism, revenge, greed and deceit. Earle writes in a functional, graphic style that evades cliches. His style reaches its peak when sentences are cast like lines of a poem to convey the bludgeoning delirium of Manse's mind. His dialogue is particularly effective, varying from the guardedly genteel to the foully forthright. It is dialogue that scorches and furrows the memory --- P. Newman, Abraxas Review Cornwall, England

This book inspired me to visit Manse's home near Anderson, SC. Interesting story on a little known figure in SC history.

Being from Anderson,SC it was refreshing to read some of our true history. It was like catching a glimse of what life in Anderson was like in the Reconstruction era. Wilton Earle does a wonderful job telling the story of a local hero/murderor. I just wished schools would teach true histry like this, and not some concocked version of history that is politically correct. I recomend this book for everyone to read!

Thsi novel is based on a true story, the author uses alot of license to create events/add details which make this unsuitable reading for minors. I was hoping to use it to teach my children about the reconstruction.

Manse was a very determined young man during the civil war and upon returning home, his life went downhill with his brother being killed. I really enjoyed this book but took some offense to the language and would not recommend it to younger children or older persons whom it may offend or influence. Personally, I don't think people back in those days used that kind of language especially here in the south and a lot of people take offence of it today. I really did enjoy it being local history and since I live near his old homestead it really appealed to me. I plan on reading it again soon!

It was a nice change to read about a legend of the Civil War from South Carolina for a change.

For anyone that grew up in (or around) the upstate of South Carolina this book provides incredible insight into this intriguing figure, as well as what life was like during reconstruction in the upstate. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys Civil War stories, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the complicated life of someone who stood up for what he beleived in.

If you like stories of the reconstruction South where Confederates are noble and long-suffering, Yankees are stupid and larcenous, blacks are servile window dressing and women approach their men with the adoration of Harriet Meirs for George W. Bush, then you'll love this one. The only thing that separates the politics of this potboiler from "Birth of a Nation" is that Earle's is careful to paint the Klan as less than fully heroic, and to show some of the southern gentry joining in on the plunder.